Huron County yanks SUV from sheriff after Florida trip

BAD AXE - Prosecutors said they've stopped Huron County Sheriff Kent Tibbits from driving a county-leased sport-utility vehicle during a criminal investigation of his use of the vehicle.

County Commissioner Robert W. Haldane said Tibbits told him he drove the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer on a 10-day family trip to and from Florida from March 27 to April 6.

But Huron County Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner said Tibbits won't get to drive the SUV while prosecutors examine whether the sheriff violated county policies - or state law - by taking the vehicle down south.

"I advised the Sheriff's Department to put the vehicle on ice," Gaertner told The Times on Tuesday.

"In light of the criminal investigation, I don't want it being used any further," Gaertner added.

The Times could not reach Tibbits for comment.

Haldane, of Colfax Township, said county commissioners will start keeping closer tabs on Tibbits, who received use of the champagne-colored Mountaineer on Feb. 14.

"I'm afraid we're going to have to do that," Haldane said.

Jodi M. Essenmacher, the Board of Commissioners' assistant, said the sheriff signed a three-year lease with Al Hanson Motors Inc. of Bad Axe.

Tibbits earns $57,918 as sheriff, and the county will pay $19,803 to lease the Mountaineer into 2011.

Haldane said Tibbits "claims he paid for gas money" on the Florida vacation. Haldane said Tibbits didn't offer to pay for wear and tear to the SUV while it logged thousands of miles during the family trip.

"I think everybody is kind of disappointed with his judgment in this matter, just like I am," Haldane said. "He's been a good sheriff and he's done a lot for the county, but I don't know what would ever prompt him to make such a poor decision."

Essenmacher said the county Motor Pool Vehicle Policy doesn't allow personal use of a county-controlled car, and bans "general transport of family members or friends."

The policy allows use of county cars for conferences or workshops beyond Huron County only if an employee has received approval from county commissioners.

"Once you start crossing state lines, then all hell's breaking loose," Essenmacher said. "I've heard a lot of negative reaction to this trip. A lot of people are very upset by this."

"When a representative from the Sheriff's Department came and asked commissioners to lease this vehicle, the person said it would be used for patrol, to tow stuff around and to move bigger equipment," Essenmacher said.

"Commissioners' understanding was that it would be for department use, not for one individual."

Commissioner Clark D. Elftman of Bay Port said he has received only one call about Tibbits' trip, from a supporter of the sheriff in Huron County, population 33,290.

"The gentleman was very positive, and said the sheriff has got a lot of duties and a lot of responsibilities, and he puts in a lot of hours, and he's available 24 hours a day," Elftman said.

Prosecutor Gaertner said he has asked the Oakland County Sheriff's Department to investigate whether Tibbits committed any crimes by using the Mountaineer. As of press time, Gaertner didn't know if Oakland County detectives would take the case.